Akshay Tritiya

A Most Auspicious Day:

Akshay Tritiya is one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. It is considered a day for charity and new beginnings. Good deeds and offerings made on this day never go to waste. It is believed that anything good done on this day lasts forever and forever. People make special purchases on this day, start new ventures, get married etc. 'Akshay' means eternal and 'Tritiya' stands for the third.

Legends and myths:

The sun and moon, on Akshay Tritiya day, are both on their pinnacle of brightness and glory. This day falls every year on the third day of the brighter half or "Shukla paksh" of the "Vaishakh" (around march-April) month. Every moment on this day is considered auspicious or a 'muhurat'. Many legends and myths are associated with the Akshay Tritiya day that signify its importance.

* It is believed that the great poet Ved Vyas along with Lord Ganesh started writing the epic Mahabharat on this day.

* This day is also considered the first day of Satya Yuga or the beginning of time. Satya Yuga is the first of the four yugas.

* It is also believed that Goddess Ganga (Ganges river) decended upon earth from the heavens.

* The poor brahmin Sudama visited his childhood friend Lord Krishna in Dwarka with a handful of beaten rice (poha) on this day.

* The Pandavas received the 'Akshaya Pathram' (bowl) from Lord Krishna (in the Mahabharata) on this day.

* The Vaishnavites believe this is the birthday of Lord Parshuram. Lord Parshuram is also the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Performing Shri Maha Vishnu Pooja on Akshaya Tritiya eradicates sin and helps in attaining salvation.

* 'Akshay' means that which is eternal, continuous, imperishable. Good deeds done on this day are blessed forever. Lord Krishna, it is believed, revealed to Yudhisthira the importance of charity, good deeds,reciting of mantras, and performing prayers on this day. The effects of which last for an eternity.

* Akshay Tritiya is believed to be one of the most blessed days in the year. Buying gold or any other assets is said to multiply and expand, bringing with it good luck and fortune forever.This is a great day for new beginnings.

Celebrations:

Akshay Tritiya is marked with great pomp and celebrations all over India. People mainly worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh on this day. They want to usher in a golden beginning full of fortune, wealth and good luck. Goddess Lakshmi is also prayed along with her husband Lord Vishnu. People visit the temples of Lakshmi-Narayan and Lord Krishna and offer 'daan' or endowments for eternal prosperity.

* Akshay Tritiya is known as 'Akha Teej' in Rajasthan, 'Sukal Tritiya' in Uttar Pradesh and 'Akshay Tadige' in Karnataka.

* The people of Bengal start a new audit book on this day called Halkhata to attract a new period of profits. They also keep Satya Narayan puja in their homes. People take dips in holy rivers across India on this day

* In Bikaner, Rajasthan, people fly kites and celebrate the teej day with fun and colors.

* The Jat farmers predict rain and crop yield by looking at all the birds they encounter on their way to the field on this day.

* In Karnataka this day is the end of a month long celebration. The celebration lasts from the third of the month of 'Chaitra' to the third of the month of 'Vaishakh'. It is believed to be a resting period for Goddess Durga or Shakti. This period comes after she slayed the two destructive and mighty demons - Sumbha and Nisumbha. In Bengal, preparations for the Durga puja starts from this day.

* The ladies in Maharashtra celebrate this day with Haldi and kumkum to seek blessings for a long and happy married life.